Veteran Iditarod musher Jessie Holmes (bib # 7), of Brushkana, Alaska, is the first musher to reach the Cripple checkpoint, which is halfway point of the Northern Route in Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race®. Holmes arrived at 1:56 p.m. with 16 dogs in harness.
By arriving first in Cripple, Holmes wins the Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award and has a choice of either $3,000 in gold nuggets or a smartphone of his choosing with a year of free GCI mobile service. The halfway award honors the late “Mother of the Iditarod,” Dorothy G. Page. The trophy, which is made of Alaska birch and marble and features a photo of Page, remains year-round at Iditarod headquarters.
“As the official technology partner of the Iditarod, GCI is proud to help power one of Alaska’s most iconic sporting events,” said GCI’s Senior Program Manager of Contributions & Events, Tiffany Vassar. “This race crosses some of the most remote terrain in our state—places we know well as we work to close the digital divide in rural Alaska. Through our partnership with the Iditarod, we see firsthand how much Alaskans rely on GCI’s statewide network to stay connected to the race. Congratulations to Jessie Holmes!”
This award was presented in Cripple by GCI’s Commercial Sales Manager, Adam Washburn and will be re-presented to Holmes at the finishers banquet in Nome, taking place on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
